Katniss POV

I look around. I'm in the arena again. I can see the evergreen forest and the chirping of mockingjays as I look up and around my surroundings. As soon as I see blurred objects in the distance, I move forward and instantly recognize the bloody faces of the tributes that I killed.

Marvel is glaring at me, with an arrow stuck inside his chest. Blood is pouring down his chin as he mumbles words, most likely insults. "I had family too, you know. I had my parents, my little siblings, but now I'm dead. I can't ever see them again." He speaks, tears pouring down his cheeks and mixing with the blood.

I blink at him, helplessly trying to come up with words. "I had to. I didn't want to, but it was the Games. And-..you killed Rue,"

I glare back at him, but his bloody figure disappears.

A new figure shows, and it's Glimmer. Her face is severely infected and puffed out, her beauty is gone. She's screaming. And she's in pain. "I hate you! I hate you so much! I'll get you for this," She shouts, and before I even have time to run away, tracker jackers are sent flying towards me.

Their stings feel like an agonizing burning sensation, and I start to hallucinate again.

First, the careers are chasing me, including Cato. When he wanted to kill me in the arena. Their laughing and mocking me, as they start to stab me with their spears. Their faces change into the familiar faces of the elites, who are also sadistic and powerful.

I shut my eyes to try to avoid the pain until the pain stops, and I open them again.

I'm surrounded by complete darkness. At first, silence emits the room, but then I hear painful cries and screams. I see Gale being tortured again, crying out to me for help, but of course I can't help him. I see Rue sadly frowning at me, with blood running down her chest.

"Katniss, help me!" Gale screams.

"Katniss, why didn't you save me?" Rue asks.

"Katniss,"

"Katniss, why?"

"Katniss...Katniss..."

I shake my head and sink down onto the floor, dropping to my knees. "Stop it, please stop! Stop..." I try and pant for air as soon as I feel the oxygen beings sucked out from my lungs.

I whimper and put my hands over my ears to try and block out their cries and screams.

"Katniss..."

"Katniss." I hear a familiar voice say, this time outside of my horrible nightmare.

"Stop, stop..." I moan, and turn against the sheets that were covering me. The bed felt small, and the smell of the room felt familiar. It smelled of cool air and anesthetics. My eyes silently flutter open, and my grey orbs are instantly met with Ebon's.

"Ebon," I weakly croak, before feeling my damp hair covered in sweat. I was inside the hospital, on one of their beds.

Ebon stares at me with slightly narrowed eyes, as he leans back on the small chair that he was sitting on next to my bed. "Had a nightmare, huh? How are you feeling?" He asks.

I frown and look away while placing my hand over my hot forehead. "Fine," I reply.

"What was the nightmare about?" He raises his eyebrow at me. I quickly figure that I had to tell him about my nightmare, or else he would keep bugging me about it. Ebon was the type of guy that would always comfort you, but he would keep pressing on about your fears or worries, even if you didn't want to say.

"Nothing, really.." I shrug, painfully staring at the wall in front of us. "It was just about all the people who I couldn't save. And all the people I killed in the arena. The careers chasing me, and the elites-"

The memory hits me like solid stone. President Coin, the elites chasing after me. That must've triggered my nightmare. Great. My nightmares were becoming constant lately. Not just when I was in the arena, but about Gale, District 13, and that witch President Coin.

"Where's Cato?" I find myself asking Ebon. I forgot, he had found me. He carried me back, but he wasn't here with me now.

"He's in the other room. Either that, or he's trying to find the elites and kill them." Ebon dryly replied. I guessed that he had tried to tell Cato otherwise, but of course, Ebon had failed.

I roll my eyes and heave a stressed sigh. Can Cato manage to keep out of trouble for more than a minute? I gaze down at my body and discover clean bandages on my stomach, where the elite had cut me with his knife. Thankfully, it wasn't too deep.

"Can I get up yet?" I ask, but really, Ebon and I both knew that I was going to get up either way no matter what he had said.

"Well, uh-" Ebon gave out a frustrated sigh, realizing that too. "Sure," He merely replied, and started to help me off the bed. "Just try not to do anything too physical, like you usually do."

A small smile tugged on my lips. "I won't,"

I gently heave myself off the bed and happen to walk right in front of a mirror that was next to the door. My image was ghastly. All the nice tan from my color was drained, and was now pale because of all the blood loss. My lips were slightly dry, and my hair was still pulled back in a messy ponytail. Before leaving the room, I let my hair down and stare at it's natural pretty waves.

Ebon opens the door for me and lets me out, and my grey gaze is instantly met with a couple nurses that were on break and currently sitting on one of the couches. Some of them sent me a low scowl or glare, while others merely smiled.

I blinked and avoided their gaze, quickly following Ebon into the other room, which was the lounge.

I first see Boggs at the table, and then I see Cato. They're both talking amongst themselves, before Cato and I make breif eye contant. His beautiful hazel eyes are distressed and serious, like staring at me was painful for him.

"Nice to see you again, Katniss. How are you feeling?" Boggs asks me, which interrupts me and Cato staring at each other.

"I'm feeling fine. Thanks, Boggs." I smile, and turn to glance at Ebon who was gesturing towards Boggs.

"Boggs, why don't you and me go into the other room?" Ebon silently explains, leaving me and Cato confused. However, Boggs instantly gets it.

He gives a smirk. "Sure, Ebon." Boggs stares at the both of us, before leaving the room with Ebon.

I suddenly roll my eyes and lean back against the wall. Of course. They left because they wanted to leave me alone with Cato.

Instead of meeting eye contact with him again, I stare over at the other side of the room. However, I hear the sound of him getting up from the chair and taking a few steps towards me. Before I even have time to look at him, his muscular body is pressing mine against the wall, while he softly presses his forehead against mine.

"I was worried, about you." He murmurs into my ear, which makes tingles go down my spine.

"You don't have to worry about me," I reply, forcing my gaze onto his.

"I should've killed those elites." He gives out a silent growl, and I know that he means it. I shake my head and slowly place my arms around his neck.

"No. If you did that, you know what President Coin would've done to you." I sigh.

"I don't care. I'll kill that damn woman myself," He scoffs, bringing his forehead away from mine.

"You can't cause trouble. Promise me you won't. Please?" I rest my forehead against his shoulder and bite my lip. "Promise me ..." I whisper, which makes him go tense.

He stays in silence for several seconds as he lets out a frustrated sigh. I could tell it was hard for him not to. But he had to understand that it wasn't okay to crack someone's ribcage open just because you didn't like them. As much as I wanted to wipe that evil smirk off of President Coin's face...and shoot her with one of my arrows...I knew we couldn't as long as we were prisoners here in District 13.

"I won't," He curls his lip in anger.

"Promise?" I give him a glare. The type of glare that a mother would to her disobedient child, or the type of glares I give to Prim when she's done something wrong.

He blinks at me in surprise, before giving me one of his infamous smirks a few seconds later. "I promise,"

"That's a good career." I praise him, and both of us smile at each other.

"Whatever, Firegirl." He brings his forehead against mine again. We stare at each other for a few silent seconds, until he brings his lips close to mine.

I instantly kiss him, as he kisses back. The kiss is passionate at first, with him pushing me back harder against the wall. The wound on my stomach begins to hurt, but I try to ignore it. He realizes this, and relaxes. His kisses becoming more sweet and gentle. We both break apart for a few seconds, and let out slight pants of air.

He plants light kisses down my collarbone, until inhaling a sharp intake of air. "I want you . . ." He breathes.

I remain silent, before kissing him back. "Let's go outside, kay? I need some fresh air." I say, and take his hand in mine.

He nods and follows me outside of the hospital, and into the carbonated fresh air. I try to look for someplace we could go, and instantly spot an area of synthetic grass off into a remote area where nobody seemed to be walking near. There was also a huge fake tree, where it supplied plenty of shade.

I started to approach it, before Cato gave a small grin. "You know, if you want us to be alone...I can just find us both a room-"

I roll my eyes. "Shut up, Cato." I nearly laugh while he chuckles.

When we both get there, Cato silently grabs me from behind and spins me around, causing me to burst into laughter. We're both sent falling onto the synthetic grass, with me on top of him. We both laugh and stare at each other for a few minutes, with him bringing his hand up to my face to softly stroke my cheek. I heave a heavy sigh before leaning my face against his.

He kisses me again, and I can't help but kiss back. He brings his hands down my waist and to my hips, as I place my legs next to his sides. I pull back for a brief moment to get off of him and lay next to him. I cuddle against his side and place my head against his chest.

"Why do I love you . . .?" I silently ask him, more to myself than to him.

He sighs and strokes my hair. "I don't know, Katniss. You tell me."

"Why do you love me, then?" I curiously ask, demanding an answer.

"I don't know, I tried not to-" He sat up from the grass, and rested his elbows on his knees, before pulling his hair back. "But, I couldn't help it. You made me like you. You're so...stubborn, so carefree, beautiful, seductive-"

My laughter interrupted him. "Seductive? How am I seductive? Last time I checked, whenever you kiss me, you look like you're about to tear my clothes off."

He looks the other way and smirks. "I can't help myself. You're just so fucking irresistible,"

"Am I?" I smile at him.

He glances at me. "Yeah," He tugs on my shirt, before pulling me towards him so he could kiss me again. Our lips meet, while I bring my arms around his neck again to run my fingers through his blonde hair.

I pull away for a brief moment. "I love you," I start to say, but he quickly interrupts me with his kisses. "Because you're dangerous and sexy.." I pant with every in between kiss. "You also have a caring side. You're overly protective,"

He pulls away and holds me for several minutes, as I rest my head against his shoulder and hold him back. I never want to let go. I want us to stay like this forever, but it seems like this time is only limited. What would happen to us if we went back to our Districts? It's taboo for a career and people from Districts like mine to even associate with each other, let alone like each other. I would probably never see Cato again.

I close my eyes and snuggle deeper into his chest. I then glance up at him with a pain-filled stare. "Cato," I mumble.

"Yeah?" He meets his gaze with mine, but then notices my sad stare. "Hey..what's wrong?" He softly strokes my cheek.

I stay silent for a few seconds, before taking my gaze away from his and staring at his arm. I realize that it's not in a cast anymore, so I place my hand against his arm and move it up to touch his biceps. "Your arm..it's all better, now." I change the subject.

He scoffs. "You just realized that?"

"Well, I didn't notice before because I was kind of bleeding to death on the floor when you went to find me," I give a sarcastic reply.

"Oh, yeah." He blinks.

"Silly career." I tease him, while rolling my eyes.

He folds his arms over his head. "Shut it, 12."

I narrow my eyes at him while smiling, completely unaware of the footsteps coming towards us. However, hearing Cato's low scowl makes me turn around. Of course, it's Mason.

"Hey, Katniss." He sheepishly says, causing me to blink at him. I hadn't seen Mason for a couple of days, I wondered where he went off to.

Before I have time to answer, Cato stands up and crosses his arms.

"What do you want, you little shit?" He glares at Mason with annoyance, and I could quickly tell that if I didn't act soon, Cato would probably break his neck.

I sigh and stand up as well, putting myself in front of Cato. "Hey, Mason. What's up?" I smile at him.

Mason nervously glances at Cato, and I could guess that he feared him since the incident that they both had. However, he instantly hides his fear and manages to put on an excited grin. "I just wanted to tell you that the Dome is opening up today. You should come see it, it's awesome."

Me and Cato both exchange glances, before I turn to look back at Mason. "No, I don't think so," I turn down his offer, remembering the time when Mason took me to see the Dome. It was some kind of arena, he had said. Like in roman times, two people fight to the death. I didn't want to watch two people tear at each others throats. I already had enough of that in the Games.

But of course, Cato speaks up. "What's it about, anyway?" He asks.

Mason uneasily turns to face Cato, who is glaring at him with hatred. "It's an arena where two people fight each other to the death. The winner gets freedom and luxury." He explains.

I shake my head and sternly stare at Cato, my eyes practically saying "no,"

Obviously, he doesn't listen to me. Watching people kill each other seems to be a favorite fun activity for Cato. He smirks and shrugs. "Sounds like fun. We'll go see it,"

Mason's gaze lights up as he looks at me. "Perfect! It starts today at 1:00 this afternoon,"

I glare at the both of them and cross my arms. "I'm not going," I sternly say.

Cato playfully tugs on my arm. "Come on, Katniss. It'll be fun," He reassuringly says.

I pull my arm away from him. "No! You and I both have a different idea of "fun", I don't want to go." I press.

Before Cato has time to say anything, Ebon shows up towards the remote grass area we were all in, alongside with Boggs. He's holding a paper in his hand, as he stares at both me and Cato. "Hey, the Dome's opening up today. If you guys wanted to go, it starts in about twenty minutes. We should get going so we can get some seats," He holds up the paper, which announces the opening of the Dome and the timing schedule.

I give out a groan.

"I'm surprised it's opening up so early. Usually President Coin announces it later in the year. It should be interesting," Boggs shrugs.

Ebon nods, agreeing with Boggs. "Well come on, lets get there so we can get first seats."

"Hell yeah," Cato exclaims, making his way towards Ebon and Boggs who were beginning to show us the way. I furiously shake my head, but before I have any time to say anything, Mason grabs my arm and drags me with them against my will.

"I hate you guys," I mumble.

We start walking as a group towards the center of the District, where a huge crowd of people were already lining up to get inside, or buying tickets next to the entrance of the Dome. I heard loud announcements over the speakerphone of who would be the two people to fight each other inside the arena.

We followed Ebon towards the front of the line, where they eagerly let him in. I guess they treated the elite guards with respect around here. Hearing all the loud screaming of the crowd inside, I shrink back to hold Cato's hand. He was too busy staring in awe of the Dome, but nevertheless squeezed my hand in reassurance.

"You scared?" He asked me.

I softly shake my head. "No, I just don't wanna get lost. You know, there's a huge crowd and all,"

He chuckles, before holding me close and leading me towards the front row of seats where Ebon was leading us. I took the seat next to Cato's as I watched several men roll their carts full of goodies, such as popcorn, cotton candy, and corn dogs. I felt like I was in a carnival, or an animal show.

Ebon had bought some popcorn, much to my discomfort. He had even asked if me and Cato wanted some, but I rejected. The last thing I wanted to do was eat while I watched people kill each other. I mean, seriously? This is a bloody battle, not some action movie.

"So who's the two people who are gonna fight each other?" I ask Ebon, who's sitting a couple seats away from me, next to Mason and Boggs.

"Usually they pick a few days before the Dome starts, but I think they're gonna pick who goes up today." Ebon explains, which makes me go on edge.

Something isn't right. Boggs was saying that the Dome started early this year, and they didn't even have the two people ready yet. They were most likely gonna pick them from the crowd...Was President Coin planning something?

I bite my lip, and turn to face Cato. "Cato, I think-" I begin to say, but the huge booming voice of the speakerphone sounds as everyone begins to come inside and take their seats.

"HELLO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE DOME WILL BEGIN IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, BECAUSE OF THE TEMPORARY DELAY FOR THIS YEAR'S COMPETITORS! NOW EVERYONE! ARE YOU READY FOR THE DOME?" The speakerphone announces, and the crowd starts screaming and wildly cheering.

I realize that Cato didn't hear me, and was too busy cheering alongside Ebon and Boggs.

Letting out a sigh, I stare towards the huge TV's that stood above the arena. They were showing the past replays of the Dome, and some of them were gruesome and bloody fights that seemingly lasted forever. I wince and look away.

Suddenly, several guards appear into the arena, ans they're escorting a huge, tanned, muscled man. He seemed to be near his mid 30s, and stood well over six feet tall. He was almost like a building. I silently gasp.

He takes his cloak off and throws it aside, before raising his hands in the air and shouting in a foreign language. It was presumably Russian.

The crowd went wild, some of the audience stood up and threw their fists in the air. Already, some people began placing bets among the crowd. It was sickening. They were really going to place money on who would win?

Right away I figured that he was among the top elites. Maybe even the highest. He had a tattoo of a symbol of District 13 on his arm, which consisted of the nuclear sign.

"IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A CONTESTANT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! NOW DO WE HAVE A SECOND? ANYONE, ANYONE?" The speakerphone announced. I glance up and see two men sitting next to each other through a glass window above the arena with a speakerphone in their hands.

"Who will face me?" The guy inside the arena laughed, using a Russian accent. "Anybody? Come on, you pussies!" He shouted. Then he looked straight at me and Cato, which made me freeze up.

He narrowed his eyes at the both of us, before pointing straight at Cato. "What about you, District 2? You two's are known as the bad, dangerous careers in the arena, after all," He mocked.

I feel Cato clench his fists in anger beside me. "Ignore him, Cato. Just don't." I beg.

"Come on, 2!" I hear several of the elites, who were in the upper corner of the bleachers. "Yeah, Cato! Come on!" They chant. I instantly feel like shooting an arrow at them to make them shut up.

Now Ebon is reacting. "No, Cato..." He warns.

Cato turns to stare at Ebon. "What was the reward again, for the winner?" He asks. My eyes widen. Was he really thinking to fight?

"Freedom and luxury," Ebon narrows his eyes.

"Freedom-freedom...that counts for us too, right? If I win, me and Katniss get to go back to our Districts?" Cato seems determined. My heart nearly breaks.

Ebon nodded. "President Coin would figure you'd try to enter the Dome. So yeah the reward counts for you two as well. If you win, Cato, you two get to go home. But don't. Please, it's too risky. Don't. It's a trap that Coin set up."

"Cato, please. Don't...please, for me..." I begin to panic, as I hold onto his arm, trying to get him to face me. Damn Coin. I knew she had something planned up her sleeve. That's why she sat up the Dome early. She purposely sent in a contestant to challenge Cato out into the arena.

"I'm waiting, career. Or are you too scared?" The Russian guy sneers.

Cato shushes me, and then glares over at the contestant inside the arena. "Fuck you. I'll beat you into a bloody pulp," He murderously growls, standing up to glance up at the announcers. "I'm in."

I nearly stop breathing.

I hear Ebon give a loud curse next to me.

"ALRIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! IT SEEMS WE HAVE OUR SECOND CONTESTANT! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!" The speakerphone booms, and the crowd is sent cheering like crazy. Some others are placing bets on Cato.

I couldn't think of anything else to do except scream. "No!" I stand up and scream at him, which makes the audience go silent."You idiot! It's a trap! Can't you understand? Don't you dare risk your life for my freedom, don't you-" I'm interrupted by his lips crashing down against mine as he holds me against his chest.

I kiss him back, but pull away as I shake my head. "Don't do this. Don't, please" I whisper, holding him as tight as I could.

He tilts my head up to look at him. "Shh, it's gonna be alright. I'm gonna win this thing. I have to. I need to get both of us home, don't you get it?" He softly strokes my hair.

"Not like this, Cato. There's another way, I know it...we can-" Cato puts his finger against my lips to interrupt me once again.

"Don't be stupid, Katniss. No there isn't. There never was, this is the only way." He explains, and I painfully stare at his eyes.

"Don't you dare die, do you hear me? Don't you dare." I place my arms around his neck and bury my face into his shoulder.

"I won't, I promise." He kisses me on my forehead, but I couldn't tell if that was a real promise or not.

Cato pulls away from me and walks past me, down the stairs, and into his fate inside that cursed arena. Even worse, we were sitting down in the front row so I could see everything. Now I deeply regret listening to him and going into this stupid Dome. I walk towards the railing that separated the audience from the arena, and leaned against it as I helplessly watch him face his opponent. I hear someone get up from one of the chairs behind me. At first I think it's Mason, but instead it's Ebon. He sighs and pulls me into a hug, but my body is trembling too much to even hug him back. I can't even cry or speak, I'm too shaken up.

I feel like I'm about to fall apart.

Cato's POV

I glare at my Russian opponent, who is standing there with an arrogant smirk on his face. Despite my muscled body, he stands a few feet above me, and his chest and arms seem more wider. In the Games, I was one of the biggest tributes, but that was between 12 year olds and 18 year olds. This guy is well as twice my age, being in his mid 30s.

Tsk, whatever. It doesn't matter, anyway. I can still beat him.

Before we choose our weapons that we're going to fight with, I stare up at Katniss who's being comforted by Ebon. She seems distressed, and when she stares at me, it's like she's in pain. I hate seeing her like this. I really do, but I have to win this for her. She had to understand it was good for the both of us.

I choose a sword from the weapon rack right away, since I was best with swords. I stare at my opponent and watch as he picks up an axe, a huge one for chopping down trees.

As soon as we both choose our weapons, we both stand to face each other in the center of the arena, while the guards take the exit with the weapon rack in their hands.

"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! THE MATCH WILL BEGIN IN 10 SECONDS! LETS BEGIN THE COUNTDOWN, SHALL WE?" I hear the speakerphone say.

"10!"

"Your pretty little girlfriend is going to be mourning your death quickly," My opponent mocks in his deadly Russian accent.

"9!"

I sneer at him. "Don't get too overconfident, you son of a bitch."

"8!"

"I'll enjoy soaking this arena with your blood," He darkly chuckles.

"7!"

"Same goes for me," I narrow my eyes.

"6!"

"Please, you won't even be able to lay a finger on me." He replies.

"5!"

"Oh yeah? I'll wipe that cocky grin of your face with my sword." I give him one of my sadistic smirks.

"4!"

"Not before I wipe yours off," He twirls his axe around.

"3!"

"Take your best shot." My grip on my sword handle tightens.

"2!"

"You filthy career." He clenches his teeth in anger.

"1!"

"You fucking elite." I get ready to attack.

"0!"

He brings his axe back, before crashing it down towards me. I instantly roll aside onto the floor and avoid it, watching as the axe hit the ground and caused a slight tremor in the arena. Sword in hand, I get up and swing the sword against his side. However, he quickly blocks it with his axe.

I curse and bring my sword back to strike it over his head. He brings his hands up and blocks the attack with his axe again, before taking another swing at me. I block it with my sword, this time causing the axe to slip out of his hand and go flying someplace else. I let out a murderous grin, before taking my sword and hitting him again.

This time, he blocks the sword with his hand, taking it in his grip. When the sword sliced through his hands, he winced, which gave me an opportunity. I pushed him and the sword away, before punching him square in the face.

He doesn't fall, but he staggers quite a bit before holding his bleeding nose. He then glares daggers at me, before we're both sent punching at each other, trying to avoid each others punches. Suddenly, I'm caught off guard, and I'm sent falling onto the ground by one of his punches knocking me down.

"Shit," I breathe, and avoid one of his kicks as I try to get up. I crawl onto my side and force myself up as he tries to punch me again. However, he grabs my shirt and to my surprise, lifts me up into the air, over his shoulder.

Anyone had trouble lifting me. And yet, he was able to walk a few steps in front of him. I wildly curse and struggle to get out of his grip as I realize what he was going to do.

I hear the crowd cheering and whooping behind us. They know what's about to happen as well.

With a loud grunt and yell, he lifts me higher up in the air, before bending down and slamming my body against the ground as hard as he could.

I cry out as I land onto the clay floor of the arena, hard. It wasn't as hard as concrete, thankfully. If it was concrete, I would've been dead. I moan and mutter a curse under my breath. I try to close and open my eyes to try to get rid of the fuzziness that was surrounding my vision. I force myself up. However, I limp a few times before completely standing up to face him. I must've dislocated my ankle from the force that he had put to slam me against the ground.

I pant and try to search for one of our weapons.

Katniss POV

My heart almost stopped when I heard the crowd chanting and Cato was forcefully slammed onto the ground. I had closed my eyes for a few seconds, before opening them up again. I felt relief as soon as I watched Cato get up. However, I could tell he was hurt by the way he limped off the ground.

"I can't take this," I murmur to Ebon, biting my lip.

He breathes an uneasy sigh. "I know,"

Both me and Ebon are standing next to the railing as the Russian opponent charges himself at Cato once again. This time, Cato quickly dodges and makes sure he doesn't get caught in his grip again. He finds his sword and swings at at his opponent, slashing at his side.

This time, I cheer.

"Come on, Cato. You can do it.." I press.

His opponent cries out in pain, but tries to avoid every single time Cato hits him with his sword. He slashes him across the arms a couple of times, but then Cato's opponent sends a fist flying towards him, and manages to punch him in the face.

Cato looses his grip on his sword and falls onto the ground. The opponent turns the other way to get to the sword, but Cato trips him with his feet. The two are sent rolling onto the ground and punching each other. Cato punches him in the stomach and tries to kick him off. However, the opponent grabs some dirt off of the floor and throws it into Cato's eye.

I curse at the opponent as I hear Cato cry out and furiously wipe at his eyes.

The opponent turns the other way and grabs a hold of the sword.

"Cato, watch out!" I scream at him, which seems to catch his attention. Cato notices his opponent rushing at him and quickly stands up to block a few attacks from the sword.

It goes on for several minutes. Cato keeps blocking the Russian's attacks, but I notice that he's panting and his movements are slowing. Until, something happens.

The opponent headbutts his elbow into Cato's stomach, causing him to stop moving. Before Cato has time to react, the sword goes right through his chest.

The whole crowd gasps, including me.

I feel tears stinging at my eyes as I try to realize what just happened. My world is spinning and I stopped breathing.

I can't even manage to speak as Ebon tries to hold me from falling over.

A:N: Uh, wow that was a major cliffhanger. It nearly made me cry, actually. Anyways, gosh. I know I kind of disappeared off the face of the Earth for the past two months so I'm really sorry for that. I just sort of had a major writer's block. But now it's all good, and I got everything planned out. I hope you guys aren't too mad at me, and enjoy this longish chapter I wrote. Toodles! And review!